The Vierschanzentournee, one of ski jumping's most prestigious events, will culminate with the qualification round at Bischofshofen. Scheduled for January 5, 2025, attention is focused on the Paul-Außerleitner-Schanze, where athletes such as Austria's Stefan Kraft and Germany's Pius Paschke are expected to shine.
This year's tour has seen Austrian ski jumpers taking the lead, with Kraft recently achieving victory at the Bergisel, marking him as the frontrunner for the overall title. He scored 155.4 points during the qualification, establishing himself firmly for the upcoming competition.
Kraft expressed confidence in his performance, stating, "When it runs, it runs. I felt very well prepared for the ramp, and my jumps got progressively more relaxed, showing what needs to be done. It was truly enjoyable." His remarks highlight both his anticipation and the friendly rivalries expected during the final rounds of the competition.
The competition is fierce, as only 1.3 points separate Kraft from fellow Austrians Jan Hörl and Daniel Tschofenig. This difference translates to approximately 72 centimeters on the jump, underscoring the intense competition at play.
Andreas Wellinger was the best German jumper during the qualifications, landing just shy of the top spots. His jump of 134.5 meters secured him the ninth position overall. He commented post-jump, "Overall, I am satisfied. There is still room for improvement to make the transition to jumps more effective." Meanwhile, Pius Paschke, who previously ranked sixth overall, faced challenges and placed 13th with 135 meters.
Despite setbacks, German coach Stefan Horngacher remains optimistic. "I am quite satisfied today, as all our jumpers qualified. We saw some good jumps, even if we are still missing something for the top spots. If we can improve again tomorrow, we'll be right back in contention," he stated, offering hope for the German team.
The upcoming Dreikönigsspringen is expected to draw considerable attention as it marks the defining round of this year's event. With live coverage on networks including ZDF and Eurosport, viewers will be able to watch the action as it happens. The round starts at 16:30 local time, with the preliminary rounds taking place earlier.
Fans have eagerly anticipated this moment, and as they tune in on January 6, they'll witness whether after several competitions, the Austrian team holds steady as the dominant force or if the German contingent finds their stride to secure top placements.
This season's Vierschanzentournee highlights the remarkable talent within the sport, drawing ski jumping enthusiasts from around the globe. Each performance collectively adds to the narrative of this historic tournament.